You Should Know

You Should Know

Why Did Global Mayors Meeting in Chicago to Take Action on Climate?

by Karen Weigert, Juliana Kerr, and Vicky Stavropoulos

Nearly 50 mayors from around the world were in Chicago December 4-5, 2017, for the inaugural North American Climate Summit. Here’s what you should know about the first major climate conference in the United States since President Trump announced withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Why Did Global Mayors Meet in Chicago to Take Action on Climate?

by Karen Weigert, Juliana Kerr, and Vicky Stavropoulos

Nearly 50 mayors from around the world were in Chicago December 4-5, 2017, for the inaugural North American Climate Summit. Here’s what you should know about the first major climate conference in the United States since President Trump announced withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Photo: iStock/marchello74

Photo: iStock/marchello74

After President Trump announced in June his intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, more than 2,300 cities, counties, states, and businesses, representing more than half the US economy and population signed the America’s Pledge “We Are Still In” declaration.

Photo: REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

Chicago was one of the first cities to take action when Mayor Rahm Emanuel signed an Executive Ordercommitting the city to the carbon reduction goals of the Paris Agreement.

Photo: REUTERS/Jim Young

Mayor Emanuel also announced that Chicago would host the inaugural North American Climate Summit, bringing together nearly 50 mayors to take action on climate.

At the Summit, mayors committed to carbon reduction goals that are at least as ambitious as their nation’s commitments to the Paris Agreement, and signed the Chicago Charter, a new level of engagement for their shared commitment.

Photo: REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen

Chicago has been a strong leader on climate action. Over the past decade the City of Chicago has grown its economy while reducing emissions, and has already achieved 40 percent of its Paris Agreement carbon goal.

During the North American Climate Summit, the fifth annual C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards were announced, recognizing some of the most innovative city actions addressing climate change around the world.

While the United States has become theonly country in the world opposed to the Paris Agreement after Nicaragua and Syria signed in fall 2017, cities like Chicago are stepping up to meet the US commitment and take action on climate.

Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Learn more about the innovative efforts of mayors from around the world and watch the video of the Council’s program with the mayors of Washington, DC, Montréal, Colima City, and Vancouver held prior to the opening of the inaugural North American Climate Summit.

Learn more about global cities' efforts to combat climate change and watch the video of the Council’s program with the mayors of Washington, DC, Montréal, Colima City, and Vancouver held prior to the opening of the inaugural North American Climate Summit.